Was in the Piethorn Valley Wednesday pm No sign of the Short-eared Owl However the valley was alive with large numbers of Winter Thrushes feeding on the abundant Hawthorn berries. Mainly Fieldfares and Mistle Thrushes but also included a few Redwings and three Ring Ouzels. Also had Chaffinch, Kestrel (2) Pheasant and Tufted Duck on Kitcliffe., Cheers Dave Phillips.

Little Grebe on Foulwater Lodge yesterday morning. There is a Wheatear still hanging around in the vicinity of Rooden catch-water drain. High up in the Piethorn watershed I have twice seen a Short-eared Owl during the last two weeks.

Grey Partridges. There are some still around but the not the numbers that I have seen in the past. I put up two on the high ground on the south side of the valley last week and have had several sightings in the usual areas of the north side recently. Three today.

I didnt find the Red-breasted Merganser. There was a pair of Goosander on the small, unnamed reservoir immediately east of Piethorne reservoir. However, I did see a pair of Ravens chase a Buzzard over a hill and come back seconds later pursued by a Merlin. There was a Kingfisher on the small reservoir below Ogden Reservoir.

Female red-breasted merganser on Kitcliffe this a.m, though later relocated on Ogden Res' (A. Nuttall). Also in the valley, woodcock, kingfisher and nuthatch, plus two separate skeins of pink feet over, heading NW (circa 120 in each group).

Couldn't find a Denshaw thread, and though Crompton Moor and Saddleworth are adjacent, I decided to include it with the Piethorne Valley Reservoirs. Did a short walk from the Ram's Head pub on the A672 to Rooden Reservoir.

The highlight was 4 whimbrel. Three flew from the reservoir to join another in a field between the pub and the reservoir (quite close to the road too). Good views of all 4 birds. At least one bird called quite frequently. Eventually, the 3 birds flew back towards the reservoir (again calling) while the last bird remained in the field , which also held a curlew for a nice comparison.

At least 2 other curlews in the area. Also c6 lapwings and 2 oystercatchers. Good to hear and see a few skylarks in song.

great crested grebe pair, plus two young, on Ogdenblackcap (2) singing,whitethroat, in song,willow warbler, contact calling,common sandpiper, on Kitcliffe,kestrel,a few meadow pipits,a few linnets,reed bunting (2), in song and.......a few swallows.

15 (quite flighty) common scoter, on Piethorne Reservoir,three willow warblers in song,two blackcap, likewise, a single whitethroat, common sandpipers on Kitcliffe and Piethorne anda great crested grebe, with three quite well grown youngsters, on Ogden.

Rather quiet in the teeth of a NW wind, but my first willow warbler of the year, in the usual willow carr on the south side of Kitcliffe Reservoir. Also a vocal green woodpecker near Kitcliffe Farm, a couple of skylarks singing by Town Hill and a few meadow pipits knocking about.

Pair of Stock Doves - The first I have seen clearly in the valley for some time.

I went out late to try and catch the crow roost at sunset after too many gloomy evenings. The sunset was disappointing but the crows were not. Very vocal tonight. In the past I have always seen them flying up the valley in small groups but this winter they seem to travel in a larger flocks. Over 70 in the one I counted. There also seems to be a small flock possibly roosting in Rough Bank plantation - or at least leaving it until very late before going that extra kilometre or so to the traditional roost. (too dark to see) If going to see them most of them gather on the slopes of Turf Hill and Rhodes Barns before flying down to the wood when the last of the light has gone.

3 Grey Partridges. It's been a while since have seen any up there. It truly is down to luck because I do wander around those same hills on average four times a week. (The emphasis is in wander because I have never seen any from the paths.)

Long walk today including piethorne Valley.I checked out wicken hall woods and surrounds (thanks to Bill Myersclough's suggestion)highlights weregreen woodpeckercommon whitethroatgrasshopper warblergrey partridgewheatearstonechatalso tawny owl flew into and around old house ground at about 3pm, getting an ear full from blackbirds.

still no stock dove though Bill but definitely worth the extra mileage.

3 Coots on Ogden Reservoir this morning. I don't keep records but it is a long time since I last saw one in the valley.Another good sighting was two Lapwings mobbing a Buzzard above Norman Hill Reservoir towards Bleakedgate Moor. (Fool Hill I believe it may be called)A pair of Reed Buntings and a pair of Nuthatches featured amongst the usuals.

Hobby flying at speed up the valley over Kitcliffe Res, great sighting, first for me locally.Little OwlWheatear 2CormorantCommon Sandpiper on Piethorne ResGreenfinchHeronBlue TitGreat TitGoldfinchMagpieCarrion CrowPlenty of Willow WarblerNo Chiffchaff seen or heard although we did see a few Monday eveningJaySwallow quite a few about.

Hit piethorne mid afternoon (end of a long circular walk today over hough and brushes too.)This is the piethorne bit:common sandpiper in channel to side of norman hey resfemale wheatear on fence on northwest side of rooden res and a male in ruin by bridle path above springholes quarry.plenty of skylark and meadow pipits about despite wind.tufted duck 2 female and 1 male on pond below ogden res.pair of great crested grebe on ogden res.heard about 4 willow warblers and 1 chiffchaff. Chiffchaff was in woods by dye works.lapwing displaying near norman hey res.no oystercatchers about today.lots of suspicious brown feathers( -ripped as if by fox) by piethorne quarry and no little owl...